TEMPO.Co, Jakarta - The night sky in July will be both enchanting as it is unique, thanks to the spectacular planetary sightings. From the radiant glow of Venus and Jupiter to the golden shine of Saturn, skywatchers can look forward to some of the season's most captivating sights.
As summer nights unfold, here's everything you need to know about this month's must-see celestial events according to National Geographic, Astronomy Magazine and Farmer’s Almanac.
Night Sky Events in July
Saturn-Moon Appearance | 7-8 July
Skywatchers who rise before dawn on July 7 and 8 will be treated to a beautiful celestial gathering. The third-quarter Moon and Saturn will shine side by side in the eastern sky, while Mars and the Pleiades star cluster gradually come into view as sunrise approaches.
Triangle sightings of Pleiades, Moon and Mars | 11 July
The night sky in July continues to impress on July 11 as the slender crescent Moon appears alongside Mars and the Pleiades in a rare triangular formation.
Rising in the eastern sky before sunrise, the trio will offer a memorable sight for early risers, especially when viewed through binoculars, which can reveal the Pleiades' rich collection of stars and the Moon's cratered landscape.
Crescent Moon and Venus | 16-17 July
One of the brightest highlights of the night sky in July will arrive on July 17, when dazzling Venus pairs with a crescent Moon low above the western horizon shortly after sunset. Often called the "Evening Star," Venus will outshine every star in the sky, remaining visible for up to two hours after dusk.
Full “buck” Moon | 28-29 July
The month will reach its near-conclusion with the arrival of the Buck Moon, which reaches peak illumination on July 29 at around 10:30 AM ET. Although the full phase occurs during daylight hours, the best views will come at moonrise on July 28 and 29, when the Moon appears unusually large near the horizon due to the well-known "moon illusion."
The July full moon takes its name from the season when male deer, or bucks, begin growing a fresh set of antlers.
Alpha Capricornids meteor shower | 30-31 July
The Alpha Capricornids meteor shower will be active from July 3 to August 15, reaching its peak on the nights of July 30 and 31. While it typically produces only about five meteors per hour, the shower is famous for its bright, slow-moving fireballs, some of which are vivid enough to shine through moonlight.
The night sky in July offers plenty of reasons to look up, with dazzling planetary pairings, a brilliant Buck Moon, and the eye-catching Alpha Capricornids meteor shower lighting up the month.
Read: Strawberry Moon to Peak on June 29: Best Time and Places to Watch
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